The appearance of Bella stirred the crowd around her.Although a current sensation had usurped much of her resources, Bella remained a seasoned actress with a commendable reputation. Additionally, her connections with both the Riley and Fitzgerald families cemented her place in the entertainment industry.Naturally, her public appearance attracted fans’ attention, prompting them to take out their phones and shout, "Bella, look this way! Over here!"Bella did not avoid the spotlight but waved elegantly, greeting everyone with grace. Her public exposure had dwindled recently, and today’s encounter with Caelan would certainly trend online. Caelan seemed aware that Bella’s greeting was a deliberate attempt to increase her visibility. Although inwardly irritated, he kept a courteous demeanor. "If there’s nothing more, we’ll be going."Bella, basking in the attention, quickly called out, "Wait a minute!""What is it?" Caelan asked, confused.Having called out impulsively, Bella hadn’
Jade's friends knew she couldn't handle her liquor, yet Bella ordered her the strongest cocktail. The intentions were clear.Caelan frowned, disapproving of the gesture, but he didn't make a scene. Instead, he leaned toward Jade and softly reassured her, "Don’t force yourself. I’ve got you covered."Caelan's words immediately put Jade at ease. As long as he was around, she didn’t need to worry about her drinking capacity. Even if she ended up drunk, Caelan would ensure she was taken care of. She flashed a gentle smile at him, her dark eyes sparkling with happiness.The cocktail arrived, and the server placed it in front of Jade."Give it a try," Bella urged, taking a swig of beer and exclaiming, "Drinking at a bar is the best! The atmosphere alone is invigorating!"Jade, determined not to give Bella the satisfaction of seeing her falter, took a cautious sip and immediately wrinkled her nose. "No, this is too much for me. Better give it to Caelan."She slid the drink over to him,
For the sake of long-term harmony, Bella decided to humble herself and accept the punishment of three drinks, which indirectly served as an apology to Jade.Caelan looked at Jade and asked, "What do you think?"Feigning innocence, Jade put on a pitiful, naive expression and asked, "Won't three martinis be too much for Bella?"Bella felt a surge of frustration, her chest heaving with agitation. She had only anticipated having to down three beers, but Jade's suggestion of martinis felt like a death sentence. Although Bella could hold her liquor reasonably well, three martinis would be pushing her limits, and she wasn't sure she could walk out of the bar with her dignity intact if she lost control.Desperately, Bella glanced at Caelan, hoping he would intervene. But he only said, "A promise is a promise. You're an award-winning actress; surely you won't go back on your word."His firm words left Bella with no room to back out."Fine, I'll drink!" she said and signaled to the barte
Jade couldn’t tell if Bella was just pretending to be drunk or genuinely intoxicated. Every word she uttered dripped with a sorrow that cut deep. Who would have thought that beneath her glamorous exterior lay a myriad of bitterness and humiliation?Jade’s brow furrowed. She didn’t want to be enemies with Bella, but Bella had humiliated her repeatedly, forcing her to retaliate. Seeing Bella in this state stirred conflicting emotions within her."Enough. Stop drinking." Jade intercepted Bella's hand as she reached for another bottle, her voice stern. Jade wasn’t a saint, but she wasn’t heartless either. If Bella continued drinking like that, she was bound to get into trouble."Leave me alone," Bella snapped, her strength unexpectedly fierce as she pushed Jade away. "You just want to see me make a fool of myself. Well, here you go! Tomorrow..."Bella pointed a shaking finger at Jade, laughing bitterly. "Tomorrow, every media outlet will have pictures of me drunk and disgraced. That’s
Bella clutched her abdomen, her face ashen as she slumped onto the booth. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead, and her consciousness began to blur."It hurts... My stomach hurts so much..."Caelan and Jade turned to see Bella collapsed on the sofa, unconscious."Bella!" Caelan cried out, rushing to her side. He gently patted her face, trying to wake her. "What's wrong? Wake up!"Bella's face twisted in pain. She murmured weakly, "It hurts... My stomach hurts."Her hand clutched her abdomen tightly, her features contorted, her complexion ghostly pale as if she might faint at any moment. Caelan noticed her hand pressed three inches below her navel and immediately realized that Bella might be suffering from acute appendicitis. He helped her up, turning to Jade. and said, "Quick, we need to get her to the hospital."Jade nodded, and Caelan lifted Bella in his arms, striding swiftly toward the exit.Samuel hurried over, covering Bella’s face with a jacket to shield her from onlooker
Bella was in such excruciating pain that she could no longer speak. The situation was critical, and there was no time to lose."Prepare for surgery immediately," Jade said gravely to the doctor. "Please help me get the patient to the operating room."The doctor, looking conflicted, glanced at Caelan, who gave a subtle nod. Resigned, the doctor gritted his teeth and began arranging the surgery.Still uneasy, he called upon a few experienced assistants to join Jade in the operating room. Jade understood that the doctor didn't trust her abilities, but saving Bella’s life was the priority, and there was no time for debates.She was determined to prove her competence through her actions rather than waste time on pointless arguments.The doctor, though still worried, watched Jade closely, ready to take over her work if necessary.However, once inside the operating room, the doctor quickly realized his concerns were unfounded. Jade's skilled techniques were impressive—not only did she
Bella awoke gradually after being wheeled out of the operating room. Staring at the ceiling adorned with white flowers, she blinked weakly. Her hand instinctively moved to her abdomen, a look of distress clouding her face."Bella, you're awake?" her assistant, who had rushed to the hospital upon hearing about Bella's accident, was by her side immediately.Seeing Bella trying to touch the wound, the assistant quickly intervened, "Bella, please don’t move. You've just had surgery. Be careful not to infect the incision."Bella forced a bitter smile, her voice choked with emotion. "Who would want a star with such an ugly scar? My career in showbiz is probably over."The assistant chuckled softly, reassuring Bella, "You're worrying too much. The surgery was a success. There won’t be any scars.""Are you kidding?" Bella's disbelief was evident. She had never seen anyone come out of surgery without a scar.Understanding her skepticism, the assistant quickly handed her the phone, smiling
Jade smiled gently as she greeted Elena and Leo one by one. "Sorry to keep you waiting.""No, no, we haven't been here long," Elena replied, her eyes scanning the area behind Jade, searching in vain for Caelan. A hint of disappointment crept into her voice as she added, "Did Mr. Fitzgerald not come with you?"Their primary purpose was to meet Caelan, so not seeing him dampened their spirits a bit. Jade's eyes sparkled with a bright light as she offered a soft smile and said, "Something came up at the company. He’ll join us a bit later.""Oh, I thought so. Mr. Fitzgerald would never miss an appointment," Elena said with a palpable sigh of relief.If Jade had not given her this reassurance, how could she maintain her standing before Leo?As they settled into their seats, Elena handed the menu to Jade. "Order whatever you like."Jade, aware of the courtesy, decided to reciprocate by ordering a few dishes that Caelan particularly enjoyed.Noticing the selection was rather light, E